Urge Congress to support humane, equitable immigration reform –
not the proposals of FAIR and other anti-immigrant groups
BACKGROUND
The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) was organized by John Tanton, the founder of Numbers USA, the Center for Immigration Studies and other anti-immigrant groups. FAIR is a lobbyist group opposed to all immigration, advocating, in its own words, “to set legal immigration at the lowest feasible levels.” FAIR ignores the dire need of refugees and asylum seekers for protection, the importance of family unity, and the high U.S. demand for immigrant workers of all skill levels. FAIR opposes family unity policies for immigrants, wants to criminalize providing humanitarian aid to undocumented persons, and claims responsibility for the failure of the DREAM Act and other pro-immigrant bills.
Unfortunately, hate and fear are very powerful motivators, and THIS WEEK (September 8-11, 2008) FAIR is bringing thousands of people to Washington, D.C., to push Congress towards an agenda of more raids, deportations, and inhumane detention; fewer opportunities for legal immigration; and decreased resources for immigrants and refugees.
CALL YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES EVERY DAY THIS WEEK!
The Capitol Switchboard can connect you – call 202-224-3121
Also call Nancy Pelosi (202-225-0100) and Harry Reid (202-224-3542)
Tell them that as their constituent, you urge them to:
-- Ignore FAIR and other groups that support hate and family separation.
They offer no solutions, but polarize communities with fear and hatred.
-- Only support immigration reform that is HUMANE and EQUITABLE.
Raids, detention, and deportation are inhumane and hurt children and families – we need a pathway to legal status for those who are undocumented and an improved immigration system that prioritizes family unity and reduces backlogs.
Quotes from FAIR spokespersons:
“The brown toxic cloud strangling Los Angeles never lifts and grows thicker with every immigrant added…When you import that much crime, illiteracy, multiple languages and disease, Americans pick up stakes and move away.”[1]
"They defend themselves from the illegal alien savages who kill their livestock, slit their watchdogs' throats, burglarize their homes and threaten the physical safety of their loved ones." [2]
I am an immigrant. I migrated to the U.S. from the Philippines. Although it wasn't always the case, today I am learning to peel the shame I used to feel about being an immigrant. Some cringe at the word "immigrant"; some take and use it as an insult. Many believe that it's an F-word; a word that's a curse, a taboo, something dirty, a word people aren't suppose to use, it's thrown around like a weapon of hate.
The history of the word, from my understanding, is that it was used to place an identifier on a group that was seen as an 'other.' It has been posed to me that perhaps the word "immigrant" should not be used in the first place. But I disagree; eradicating the word isn't a protest of disregard of the power of the ruling class. but rather it's an admittance of their power.
Instead of using "immigrant" as an F-word, I'm suggesting that people remember that language is ours; We determine its meaning and its development, not the other way around. I am an immigrant; I migrated from one place to another. There is nothing wrong with that.
(My particular interest is in the undocumented immigrant experience, particularly undocumented immigrant youth. This blog seeks to journey into learning about the lives of immigrants, documented and undocumented alike, and the politics surrounding the subject.)
The history of the word, from my understanding, is that it was used to place an identifier on a group that was seen as an 'other.' It has been posed to me that perhaps the word "immigrant" should not be used in the first place. But I disagree; eradicating the word isn't a protest of disregard of the power of the ruling class. but rather it's an admittance of their power.
Instead of using "immigrant" as an F-word, I'm suggesting that people remember that language is ours; We determine its meaning and its development, not the other way around. I am an immigrant; I migrated from one place to another. There is nothing wrong with that.
(My particular interest is in the undocumented immigrant experience, particularly undocumented immigrant youth. This blog seeks to journey into learning about the lives of immigrants, documented and undocumented alike, and the politics surrounding the subject.)
"google that!"
Immigrant Rights are Human Rights; If a group of people can be oppressed, who decides who's next?
Inform yourself and others, go to google.com and youtube.com and check out things like:
I.C.E. Detention Center / Hutto Dention Center / DREAM Act
Inform yourself and others, go to google.com and youtube.com and check out things like:
I.C.E. Detention Center / Hutto Dention Center / DREAM Act
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
COUNTER ANTI-IMMIGRANT LOBBYISTS
Labels:
human rights,
ICE,
immigrant,
immigration,
may 1st coalition,
may day,
raids,
worker rights
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